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Saturday, December 8, 2012

The 6th annual Romero House food drive is a phenomenal success filling a 53 foot trailer and more.

Donations of food and cash were accepted in the parking lot of Ritchie's on Rothesay Avenue for the soup kitchen's only annual food drive.Carolyn McNulty tells CHSJ News everything donated will be used to provide meals, to help out in a food crisis, to keep their Mobile Unit on the road and full of supplies and more.

She tells us the operation is a fine balance between getting the food and having enough money to pay her staff who she adds do not make big money.

McNulty says a staff of 6 full time and two part time workers keeps everything going smoothly and in harmony.

Five regional projects are hoping to get enough votes to win some money through the Aviva Community Fund.They range from a skateboard park in Hampton to getting a wheelchair accessible bus for the Kennebec Manor.The SPCA Animal Rescue League is looking to start a new low cost spay and neuter program. Shelter Manager Kathy Illingworth says a win would mean $100,000 - 150,000 for the program.

Ritchie's needs your help, and it's not with the food drive.A traffic camera is being set up today to count cars making a left hand turn either west or east on Rothesay avenue at the Glen Falls & Ritchie's intersection.Sandy Ritchie says the intersection is extremely dangerous, with an average of 1-2 accidents a week. She tells CHSJ news they've been trying to get an advanced green light at the intersection for about 5 years, and today's study will determine if it's needed.Ritchie is worried that a short time frame of 11:00 am - 1:00 pm on a Saturday won't accurately show how messy the intersection is, and is encouraging drivers to take the time and drive through the area to help with the study.